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Home My WebLink AboutC_Public_Comment_Witt_091112.pdfNovember 12, 2009 R EC01; FIENTON D Mr. Gerald C. Wasser, Associate Planner NO V 2 CED — Planning Division, City of Renton 1055 South Grady Way BUILDING DIVISION Renton, WA 98057 RE: LUA09-140, ECF, PP (Wilson Park Preliminary Plat) Mr. Wasser: Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments on the above application. As owners of property adjacent to the subject site (located directly below/west of the site), we have an interest in insuring negative impacts are avoided and appropriate measures are taken in the possible development of this site. Comments/Concerns: 1. SLOPE This site sits on a fairly significant slope. While site development documents may address the actual slopes on the listed property, we are concerned that development pians include addressing impacts to txftfiag 219pes below (west) of the proposed site. As can be seen in the attached photos (Photos # 1 & #2), the western property line of the proposed development abuts already developed property (4 homes). The slope below the shared property line is significant, with an almost a thirty foot (30) drop in slope over the first one hundred feet (100') to the west of that line. Development approval should address appropriate engineering to not compromise property below the site from landslide or run-off threats. 2. TREES Understanding that the City does have established tree retention/replacement ordinances, we feel that it is appropriate to comment on the importance of balance in the planning. As can be seen in attached Photos # 1 & # 2, there are numerous large tress located on the western and northwestern portion of the proposed site (the large trees seen in the photos behind the existing homes are on the application site). Elimination of these long established trees and their associated root systems may weaken the hillside if totally cleared and replaced with a comparable number of smaller, less mature trees. Conversely, retention of only a few of the very large mature pines, currently in excess of over one hundred feet (100') tall, may make them susceptible to falling in high winds. With their location on the site, these would most likely fall downhill and threaten the existing homes below. Appropriate pians on tree retention/replacement, with the possible impacts to adjacent property, should be addressed in plan approval. 3. DRAINAGE Development of the site will certainly change the drainage, due to increased impervious surfaces. We are concerned that every effort be made to insure that the changes in site drainage not impact property located directly below the proposed development. Additionally, while the City of Renton recently (summer of 2009) preformed work on the open storm water ditches along S. 55th Street, including the addition of lining the ditches with rock Photo # 3), recent storms have shown that these ditches already run close to full capacity. If additional storm water runoff from new development is added to the existing open trenches along S. 551h Street, measures should be addressed to insure that any added runoff from new development not allow overflow to the existing open storm drainage trenches. 4. ROADS With the understanding that site development would include installation of a new road that would eventually be dedicated to the City, there are a number of concerns about impacts to existing development. Appropriate setbacks from existing property lines and fences (including easements) should be the responsibility of the developer. Measures should be taken to insure public safety of any road running down slope, both for the new development and property adjacent. Over the past five (5) years, roads built along the hillside between S. 55'h Street and Carr Road have all experienced sever weather impacts and have become slippery and impassable due to ice and snow. Even on streets constructed to existing road slope standards, vehicles are unable to maintain control on the slopes, causing the vehicles to either slide uncontrollably or making the road impassable. Concerns exist that vehicles sliding downhill from the proposed development site road could leave the roadway and crash through existing wood fencing along the shared property line. The installation of a concrete barrier wall along the west property line should be considered for public safety. S. ACCESS (5. SSM' Street) It is understood that access to the development would be via a new road to be dedicated to the City coming off S. 55th Street. As a fairly significant arterial, S. 55th Street is currently substandard at best. Due to the numerous curves as the road "snakes up the hill', sever steepness, limited width, lack of side walks, extreme limitations on line of sight, and with current heavy use, the road is already an area of concern (Photos # 4 & #5). Impacts of an additional side street to access this new development should be taken into consideration for both the appropriate safety of those using the new site as well as the thousands of vehicles using S. 551h on a daily basis. An appropriate turning lane at the development entrance should be mandated (as in other developments in the City) to insure proper public safety on the already hazardous S. 551h Street. 6. STORM WATER RETENTION (PONDIVAULT) Property owners located below the proposed development site are concerned about having a retention pond and/or vault located above and extremely close to their property. Existing slopes and the proposed site development (plus lose of any large trees for slope stability) raise questions of both short and long term impacts. What is the liability for the proposed development land owner/construction company for any damage done to our properties by slope failure associated by water retention? If slope damage occurs after construction (when the development company is gone) what liability does the new neighborhood (home owners) or the City have to our existing neighborhood if such damage occurs? Again, we appreciate the opportunity to submit comments and request that we remain a party of record on this application. Respectfully submitted, Paul & Frieda Witt 617S.53 d Place Renton, WA 98055 425)227-5462 1 Quang Dang & Kim Duong 623 S. 101111111111111M S31W r Renton, WA 98055 425) 917-9733) Khanh Nguyen (per attached email as he is currently "out of country") 616 S. SIWXM rY RQ P4#, --F_ Renton, WA 98055 425) 271-3691) PHOTO # 1 NOTE: You are looking at existing homes located directly below/west of the proposed development. Large trees behind existing houses are located on proposed site; fences behind existing homes are located on property line shared with subject site and gives indication of scale of slope. PHOTO # 2 NOTE: Note number and size of trees behind existing properties are located on proposed site; fences are located on property line shared with subject site and gives indication of scale of slope. au@1 131 NOTE: S. 55th Street (facing east), open storm ditches located on both sides of roadway, site development sign in center of photo (large white sign on left side of road). 4 c 11 AP L;. c OP LIA +4 9 i 3 SmartZone Communications Center: Re: comments needed in writing to the City by Nov... Page i of 1 SmartZone Communications Center hafwitt@caroeast.net Re: comments needed in writing to the City by Nov 16th From : khanhcn@juno.com Wed, Nov 11, 2009 02:23 AM Subject: Re: comments needed in writing to the City by Nov 16th To : hafwitt@comcast.net Dear Frieda, We have chance to check your e-mail and read your draft to the city about housing development behind our house. We totally support your letter. Please add our name on the letter with all of you. Thank you to raise our neighborhood concern. Khanh & Duc-Quy Nguyen COPY Co 11'! RO(-rw Ci4t (m miiU`rl UIt,t, HILI tus IL'__ incw»c. T r , rt_ r--) 0 r -I -- s, L r r' http:/lszO163.ev.mail.comeast.net/zimbra/h/message?si=10&so =a&sc=25575&sfi=2&st=... 11/11/2009